High temperature superconductor magnetic-switch

Abstract

A magnetic switch for recording the change in position of a magnetic field includes a first object on which is positioned a source of magnetic force for creating a magnetic field and a second object on which is positioned at least one type II superconducting medium. The type II superconducting medium exhibits a permanent magnetic component after exposure to a magnetic field, such that relative motion between the first object and the second object causes the magnetic field to induce a residual magnetization in the superconducting medium. A device for sensing the direction of a magnetic field includes a first type II superconducting medium adapted to exhibit a permanent magnetic component after exposure to a magnetic field having a first direction, a second type II superconducting medium adapted to exhibit a permanent magnetic component after exposure to a magnetic field having a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a third type II superconducting medium adapted to exhibit a permanent magnetic component after exposure to a magnetic field having a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions.

We claim: 
     
       1. A magnetic switch for recording the change in position of a magnetic field, comprising: a first object on which is positioned a source of magnetic force for creating a magnetic field;   a second object on which is positioned at least one type II superconducting medium which exhibits a permanent magnetic component after exposure to a magnetic field,   such that relative motion between the first object and the second object causes the magnetic field to induce a residual magnetization in the superconducting medium; and   means for measuring the residual magnetization induced in the superconducting medium.   
     
     
       2. The magnetic switch of claim 1, wherein the type II superconducting medium further comprises a planar type II superconducting medium. 
     
     
       3. The magnetic switch of claim 2, wherein the source of magnetic force further comprises a source of magnetic force for creating a magnetic field in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the superconducting medium. 
     
     
       4. The magnetic switch of claim 2, wherein the source of magnetic force further comprises a source of magnetic force for creating a magnetic field in a direction parallel to the surface of the superconducting medium. 
     
     
       5. A device for sensing the direction of a magnetic field, comprising: a first type II superconducting medium adapted to exhibit a permanent magnetic component after exposure to a magnetic field having a first direction;   a second type II superconducting medium adapted to exhibit a permanent magnetic component after exposure to a magnetic field having a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;   a third type II superconducting medium adapted to exhibit a permanent magnetic component after exposure to a magnetic field having a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions; and   means for measuring the direction of any permanent magnetic component induced in the first, second, or third superconducting medium.   
     
     
       6. The device of claim 5, wherein the first, second, and third media each further comprises a planar type II superconducting medium such that the first medium is perpendicular to the second medium and the third medium is perpendicular to the first and second media.